Computer Science Projects

These computer science projects can be modified or adapted to suit the purposes of a homeschool class, a public or private school project, or a science fair project. Keep reading for more on computer science project ideas and tips.

• Devise an experiment to show the effects of the exposure to magnetism on storage media. Compare the effects on a variety of media such as DVDs, CDs, Zip storage, floppy disks (3-inch and 5-inch, if available), and videotapes. Which are affected? Why are some not affected, if they aren’t?

• Build a simple computer of your own devising or from a kit. Explain its operation.

• Create an experiment to show what elements cause the most disruption of performance in a wireless network in a multi-story building.

• Create a model to demonstrate how a CPU works. Also use it to demonstrate the evolution of the CPU.

• Test the cooling efficiency of different computer fan systems.

• Build a model to show ergonomic best practice for a computer workstation.

• Create an explanation of what is needed to create a wired LAN (local area network).

• Make a test to show the difference in performance in demanding programs with various amounts of RAM and various amounts of free space on your hard drive. Test at least one game and graphics-intensive program that is not a game.

• Create an objective analysis that compares and contrasts Microsoft and Apple computers. Pay particular attention to the graphical user interface (GUI). Also consider programs that may work on one or the other system, but not both, as well as other unique features and capabilities.

• Make two advertisements - one in the style of the “I’m a Mac and I’m a PC” ads by Apple, and the other in the style of a Windows advertisement.

• Analyze the response to VISTA as opposed to Windows.

• Compare Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human intelligence. What kind of tasks is each superior in?

• Choose a robot that’s been made in the form of a living creature. Analyze its functionality and effectiveness in terms of what it was designed to do.

• Write a paper on the role that hackers play in Internet security.

• Choose a type of application and test three examples of them. Compare and contrast them in every respect you can think of, from their disk space and CPU usage to their range of functionality, ease of use, and measures of the quality of whatever the program is meant to do, whether produce graphics or documents, or create sudoku games.